Run to the Top Podcast | The Ultimate Guide to Running

To be a serious athlete, it’s pretty much a given that you need to be, well, serious. Serious about your training, what you eat, how you recover. You need to choose your races wisely. You need to say no to things that might be a lot of fun, but don’t align with your bigger goals. Or do you? Shawanna White is definitely a serious runner, but she is clearly having way more fun than the rest of us. (Okay, speaking for myself here). She manages to consistently run sub-3 marathons, despite being past age 40, despite racing lots and lots of other races, and despite having lots of fun along the way. In this episode of the Run to the Top, you’ll learn: how to train and race a lot when you have a full time job why running with friends is so powerful how you can keep running well as a master with a few changes So if you are also a runner who takes yourself too seriously or if you are one that just loves to have fun, Shawanna White is definitely an inspiration. Connect, Comment, Community Follow RunnersConnect on Instagram Join the Elite Treatment where you get first dibs on everything RTTT each month! Runners Connect Winner's Circle Facebook Community  RunnersConnect Facebook page GET EXPERT COACHING AT RUNNERSCONNECT! This week’s show brought to you by: Magnesium Breakthrough from Bioptimizers.  Supplementing with magnesium before you go to bed has been shown in scientific studies to… Increase in muscle oxygenation during high intensity exercise Reduce inflammation  Significantly improve sleep quality Improve aerobic exercise capacity when training. When you’re looking for a magnesium supplement, make sure you take one that is organic and has all 7 unique forms of magnesium.  Our recommendation is Magnesium Breakthrough from Bioptimizers because it’s made with the highest quality, organic magnesium and contains all 7 critical forms. Most other magnesium supplements are synthetic and only contain one or two forms of magnesium, which is simply not enough. For an exclusive offer for Run to the Top  listeners go to magbreakthrough.com/runtothetop  to save up to 42%  Heal from the Amino Company Heal is an amino acid, whey and creatine based formulation designed to reduce recovery times and improve physical function after injuries by accelerating muscle repair while helping maintain a healthy inflammatory response. Check out the research here: https://aminoco.com/rttt  Heal does contain whey, so it’s not made for vegans, but if you're not vegan and looking for a nutritional advantage when it comes to recovering from your running injury or your daily training, Coach Jeff highly recommends you give Heal a try.  If you’re interested in learning  more and giving Heal a try, we’ve got a special offer for you where you can save 30% by using the code RC30. Just head to: https://aminoco.com/rttt and use the code RC30 at checkout to save 30% 

Plantar fasciitis sidelines countless numbers of runners each year, with a stabbing pain in every step. The good news is there is treatment and prevention which can make your feet less susceptible to this debilitating injury. And the best protocols might not be what you think they are. The Plantar Fasciitis Doctor, Dr Angela Walk, joins Coach Claire to explain more. Yes, that’s really her last name and she’s a chiropractic physician specializing in foot and gait analysis and plantar fasciitis from Nashville, TN. They talk about: why this injury happens so often in runners what we can do to prevent and treat it, and most importantly exactly when we can get back to running again. So if you’ve ever suffered from this awful injury or if you would like to avoid it in the first place, this is a must-listen. Connect, Comment, Community www.drangelawalk.com 20% off entire store with free shipping. This includes foot health products such as pain creams, therapy products, as well as CBD products. Use code: RUNTOTHETOP at check out. Dr. Angela’s FREE GUIDE to resolve plantar fasciitis at home. It's a complete roadmap to rehab your feet! www.theplantarfasciitisguide.com Follow RunnersConnect on Instagram Join the Elite Treatment where you get first dibs on everything RTTT each month! Runners Connect Winner's Circle Facebook Community  RunnersConnect Facebook page GET EXPERT COACHING AT RUNNERSCONNECT! This week’s show brought to you by: MassZymes from BiOptimizers  Digestive enzymes are naturally occurring proteins that your body makes to help break down food and aid digestion.   Since we know stomach issues are such a prevalent issue for runners, we asked our friends at BiOptimizers to hook you up so you could try digestive enzymes with no risk to see if they can work for you.   Right now you can get a bottle of MassZymes for FREE. All you need to do is pay a small shipping fee and there’s no catch.   There’s no tricks, no forced continuity, nothing to cancel.  MassZymes is a 17-enzyme full-spectrum formula that contains all of the key enzymes needed for optimal digestion.  It also contains AstraZyme which is an all-natural, plant-derived compound that boosts amino acid absorption by 30-60 percent.  Go to masszymes.com/runtothetopfree . You will automatically get access to your unique coupon code to claim your free bottle. Limit one per household.   Offer is valid while supplies last. If you struggle with stomach issues, this could be a game changer. LMNT Maintaining healthy electrolyte levels will not only improve performance and endurance on the run, but can help with preventing headaches, maintaining a healthy weight, and help with recovery.  That’s why we recommend all runners check out Element this summer. It's loaded with everything you need to replenish your electrolyte balance with 1000mg of sodium, 200mg of potassium, and 60mg of magnesium, and doesn't include anything you don't need like extra sugar or anything artificial. Even better, they are currently running a special deal where you can get a free LMNT Sample Pack with any order. So, order your favorite flavor and get a free sample pack to try out new flavors or share with your running friends.   To get this special offer and make sure you’re hydrating properly this summer, head over to drinklmnt.com/runnersconnect.

Our bodies are amazing and they are surprisingly individual. One person could eat loaves of Wonder Bread with negligible effects to blood sugar while another person’s levels would skyrocket. Science doesn’t quite understand why there are such dramatic differences, but we know that they are there. So what does this mean for the average athlete? How does our fueling and overall nutrition need to change to work with our own unique metabolism? These are the questions that Wade Lightheart is on a mission to answer. You’ll learn: Why standard nutrition advice for runners is flawed How to figure out what your unique body needs and How testing and data collection can help If you are looking to optimize your nutrition scientifically, this is the episode for you. Connect, Comment, Community Follow RunnersConnect on Instagram Join the Elite Treatment where you get first dibs on everything RTTT each month! Runners Connect Winner's Circle Facebook Community  RunnersConnect Facebook page GET EXPERT COACHING AT RUNNERSCONNECT! This week’s show brought to you by: MassZymes from BiOptimizers  Digestive enzymes are naturally occurring proteins that your body makes to help break down food and aid digestion.   Since we know stomach issues are such a prevalent issue for runners, we asked our friends at BiOptimizers to hook you up so you could try digestive enzymes with no risk to see if they can work for you.   Right now you can get a bottle of MassZymes for FREE. All you need to do is pay a small shipping fee and there’s no catch.   There’s no tricks, no forced continuity, nothing to cancel.  MassZymes is a 17-enzyme full-spectrum formula that contains all of the key enzymes needed for optimal digestion.  It also contains AstraZyme which is an all-natural, plant-derived compound that boosts amino acid absorption by 30-60 percent.  Go to masszymes.com/runtothetopfree . You will automatically get access to your unique coupon code to claim your free bottle. Limit one per household.   Offer is valid while supplies last. If you struggle with stomach issues, this could be a game changer. Perform from the Amino Company Perform is an amino acid based formulation that I simply add to my water bottle during my run. It tastes great and is easy on my stomach. Clinical studies have shown that Perform helps improve endurance, reduce fatigue, and increases muscle protein synthesis so you recover faster after the run. Check out the research here: https://aminoco.com/rttt If you’re interested in learning  more and giving Perform a try, we’ve got a special offer for you where you can save 30% by using the code RC30. Just head to: https://aminoco.com/rttt and use the code RC30 at checkout to save 30%

There are not many ultrarunners who have run farther than Robbie Balenger. Robbie’s been making headlines for the past few years with his massive athletic feats. Just this past spring, Robbie decided to see if he could run longer than a Tesla could on a single charge along a Texas highway. Three days and 242 miles later, man beat machine. In this episode, you’ll learn: How Robbie fuels his amazingly long runs What training you need to run your first ultra, and How to mentally get through extreme challenges and stay on your feet If you’re an ultrarunner, want to become one, or are just fascinated by them, this is an incredible listen! Connect, Comment, Community Follow RunnersConnect on Instagram Join the Elite Treatment where you get first dibs on everything RTTT each month! Runners Connect Winner's Circle Facebook Community  RunnersConnect Facebook page GET EXPERT COACHING AT RUNNERSCONNECT! This week’s show brought to you by: LMNT Maintaining healthy electrolyte levels will not only improve performance and endurance on the run, but can help with preventing headaches, maintaining a healthy weight, and help with recovery.  That’s why we recommend all runners check out Element this summer. It's loaded with everything you need to replenish your electrolyte balance with 1000mg of sodium, 200mg of potassium, and 60mg of magnesium, and doesn't include anything you don't need like extra sugar or anything artificial. Even better, they are currently running a special deal where you can get a free LMNT Sample Pack with any order. So, order your favorite flavor and get a free sample pack to try out new flavors or share with your running friends.   To get this special offer and make sure you’re hydrating properly this summer, head over to drinklmnt.com/runnersconnect. Heal from the Amino Company  Heal is an amino acid, whey and creatine based formulation designed to reduce recovery times and improve physical function after injuries by accelerating muscle repair while helping maintain a healthy inflammatory response. Check out the research here: https://aminoco.com/rttt  Heal does contain whey, so it’s not made for vegans, but if you're not vegan and looking for a nutritional advantage when it comes to recovering from your running injury or your daily training Coach Jeff highly recommends you give Heal a try.  If you’re interested in learning  more and giving Heal a try, we’ve got a special offer for you where you can save 30% by using the code RC30. Just head to: https://aminoco.com/rttt and use the code RC30 at checkout to save 30% 

Fueling your running is not as simple as eating when you are hungry or not eating when you are not hungry. Registered Dietician Cortney Berling of EatWellRunBetter.com explains how to actually eat for running performance or weight loss. We talk about: when you absolutely should NOT listen to your body as a runner and what to do instead  the differences in nutrition when you are running to lose weight and when you are fueling for performance, and why your super healthy, whole foods diet might actually be sabotaging your speed and endurance. If you want to get the most out of your running, great nutrition is key! Learn how to maximize yours. Connect, Comment, Community Follow RunnersConnect on Instagram Join the Elite Treatment where you get first dibs on everything RTTT each month! Runners Connect Winner's Circle Facebook Community  RunnersConnect Facebook page GET EXPERT COACHING AT RUNNERSCONNECT! This week’s show brought to you by: MassZymes from BiOptimizers  Digestive enzymes are naturally occurring proteins that your body makes to help break down food and aid digestion.   Since we know stomach issues are such a prevalent issue for runners, we asked our friends at BiOptimizers to hook you up so you could try digestive enzymes with no risk to see if they can work for you.   Right now you can get a bottle of MassZymes for FREE. All you need to do is pay a small shipping fee and there’s no catch.   There’s no tricks, no forced continuity, nothing to cancel.  MassZymes is a 17-enzyme full-spectrum formula that contains all of the key enzymes needed for optimal digestion.  It also contains AstraZyme which is an all-natural, plant-derived compound that boosts amino acid absorption by 30-60 percent.  Go to masszymes.com/runtothetopfree . You will automatically get access to your unique coupon code to claim your free bottle. Limit one per household.   Offer is valid while supplies last. If you struggle with stomach issues, this could be a game changer. Perform from the Amino Company Perform is an amino acid based formulation that I simply add to my water bottle during my run. It tastes great and is easy on my stomach. Clinical studies have shown that Perform helps improve endurance, reduce fatigue, and increases muscle protein synthesis so you recover faster after the run. Check out the research here: https://aminoco.com/rttt If you’re interested in learning more and giving Perform a try, we’ve got a special offer for you where you can save 30% by using the code RC30. Just head to: https://aminoco.com/rttt and use the code RC30 at checkout to save 30%

If you have a busy life outside of running, and let’s face it, we all do, this can be a real challenge. And let me tell you a little secret--all that time might actually be unnecessary! On today’s Run to the Top, Coach Claire reveals some great ways to better fit your training into your busy life. She goes over: Exactly how much time you need to invest in training for endurance races from the 5k to the marathon How to maximize your training into less overall time, and How to organize your schedule so you can train better without wrecking the rest of your life If you’re ready to jump into a new distance or if you are feeling overwhelmed with your current schedule, this is the info you need to maximize your miles! Need help converting your race times to your optimal easy and long run pace? Download your FREE Long Run and Aerobic Pacing Calculator now! Connect, Comment, Community Follow RunnersConnect on Instagram Join the Elite Treatment where you get first dibs on everything RTTT each month! Runners Connect Winner's Circle Facebook Community  RunnersConnect Facebook page GET EXPERT COACHING AT RUNNERSCONNECT! This week’s show brought to you by: MassZymes from BiOptimizers  Digestive enzymes are naturally occurring proteins that your body makes to help break down food and aid digestion.   Since we know stomach issues are such a prevalent issue for runners, we asked our friends at BiOptimizers to hook you up so you could try digestive enzymes with no risk to see if they can work for you.   Right now you can get a bottle of MassZymes for FREE. All you need to do is pay a small shipping fee and there’s no catch.   There’s no tricks, no forced continuity, nothing to cancel.  MassZymes is a 17-enzyme full-spectrum formula that contains all of the key enzymes needed for optimal digestion.  It also contains AstraZyme which is an all-natural, plant-derived compound that boosts amino acid absorption by 30-60 percent.  Go to masszymes.com/runtothetopfree . You will automatically get access to your unique coupon code to claim your free bottle. Limit one per household.   Offer is valid while supplies last. If you struggle with stomach issues, this could be a game changer. LMNT Maintaining healthy electrolyte levels will not only improve performance and endurance on the run, but can help with preventing headaches, maintaining a healthy weight, and help with recovery.  That’s why we recommend all runners check out Element this summer. It's loaded with everything you need to replenish your electrolyte balance with 1000mg of sodium, 200mg of potassium, and 60mg of magnesium, and doesn't include anything you don't need like extra sugar or anything artificial. Even better, they are currently running a special deal where you can get a free LMNT Sample Pack with any order. So, order your favorite flavor and get a free sample pack to try out new flavors or share with your running friends.   To get this special offer and make sure you’re hydrating properly this summer, head over to drinklmnt.com/runnersconnect.

Getting older doesn’t mean getting slower, as long as you make critical changes to your training and how you fuel. Dr Stacy Sims, the revolutionary exercise and nutrition scientist who wrote Roar unlocks what female athletes need to do before, during and after menopause to thrive. Her newest book, Next Level, smashes the stereotypes of female aging and menopause and outlines exactly what female athletes need to get faster and stronger (and look amazing!). You’ll learn: what is happening in our bodies starting in our mid-forties that prevents us from responding to training like younger athletes wow to shift your training to create the metabolic and training responses we want, and what to do besides running to boost power, strength, and performance This is a can’t-miss episode for all female athletes that the men can learn from too! Connect, Comment, Community Follow RunnersConnect on Instagram Join the Elite Treatment where you get first dibs on everything RTTT each month! Runners Connect Winner's Circle Facebook Community  RunnersConnect Facebook page GET EXPERT COACHING AT RUNNERSCONNECT! This week’s show brought to you by: Magnesium Breakthrough from Bioptimizers.  Supplementing with magnesium before you go to bed has been shown in scientific studies to… Increase in muscle oxygenation during high intensity exercise Reduce inflammation  Significantly improve sleep quality Improve aerobic exercise capacity when training. When you’re looking for a magnesium supplement, make sure you take one that is organic and has all 7 unique forms of magnesium.  My recommendation is Magnesium Breakthrough from Bioptimizers because it’s made with the highest quality, organic magnesium and contains all 7 critical forms. Most other magnesium supplements are synthetic and only contain one or two forms of magnesium, which is simply not enough. For an exclusive offer go to magbreakthrough.com/runtothetop and use code run10 to save 10% when you try Magnesium Breakthrough. Plus, they offer a full refund up to one year after your purchase, no questions asked. MetPro This podcast is brought to you by MetPro, world-renowned concierge nutrition, fitness & lifestyle coaching company.  Using Metabolic Profiling, MetPro team of experts analyzes your metabolism and provides an individualized approach to obtaining your goals.  MetPro analyzes your individual metabolism to get a baseline to see exactly how your body is responding against a very specific set of variables. This means no cookie-cutter diets or formulas. Your MetPro coach then works with you to consistently make adjustments based on your metabolic data as well as how your plan fits your lifestyle. MetPro’s coaches are not only educated experts in their field, but they’re empathetic that people have demanding schedules and often stressful lives. They will work one-on-one with you to identify the best nutrition and fitness strategy that is going to work for your personal goals and lifestyle needs. Run to the Top listeners receive a complimentary Metabolic Profiling assessment and a 30-minute consultation with a MetPro expert. To claim this offer head to metpro.co/rttt

Do you ever feel like you are missing out on key training elements that could actually help you get faster and stronger? If you are stuck in a plateau or a cycle of injury, there are some changes that can help. Eoin Everard is a physiotherapist with a PhD in Biomechanics who studies what makes runners faster and stronger. He’s the founder of everardpilates.com. and he certainly has discovered what works on himself. Eoin has won 5 national senior running titles, has represented Ireland on the international stage from 800m to 10k Cross Country. He is a sub 4 minute miler and ran sub 14 minutes for 5k just last year. Finally, he is the current indoor 3000m European O35 champion. And besides all of that, Eoin is utterly delightful to talk to. We went a little longer than usual with this conversation, because there is just so much good stuff! You’ll learn: Eoin’s 3 minute drill to add on to a run to get more power, why you should not bother to fix your form on the run, and  why static stretching is not as evil as you might think it is for runners. This is an amazing conversation that I promise you’ll learn a lot from. And if that’s not enough, Eoin is giving all of the Run to the Top listeners a free download of his super helpful ebook for runners called  "Get to the line in the best shape possible."   Connect, Comment, Community Follow RunnersConnect on Instagram Join the Elite Treatment where you get first dibs on everything RTTT each month! Runners Connect Winner's Circle Facebook Community  RunnersConnect Facebook page GET EXPERT COACHING AT RUNNERSCONNECT! This week’s show brought to you by: MetPro This podcast is brought to you by MetPro, world-renowned concierge nutrition, fitness & lifestyle coaching company.  Using Metabolic Profiling, MetPro team of experts analyzes your metabolism and provides an individualized approach to obtaining your goals.  MetPro analyzes your individual metabolism to get a baseline to see exactly how your body is responding against a very specific set of variables. This means no cookie-cutter diets or formulas. Your MetPro coach then works with you to consistently make adjustments based on your metabolic data as well as how your plan fits your lifestyle. MetPro’s coaches are not only educated experts in their field, but they’re empathetic that people have demanding schedules and often stressful lives. They will work one-on-one with you to identify the best nutrition and fitness strategy that is going to work for your personal goals and lifestyle needs. Run to the Top listeners receive a complimentary Metabolic Profiling assessment and a 30-minute consultation with a MetPro expert. To claim this offer head to metpro.co/rttt LMNT When coaching endurance runners of all levels to be their best, I always emphasize the need for proper hydration with the right balance of electrolytes. Most athletes I’ve coached are surprised to learn that their sodium needs are actually much higher than they expected and it’s been hurting their performance.  Part of the reason athletes need much more sodium than they think is not just because they lose electrolytes through their sweat, but also because athletes tend to eat very healthy diets. They’ve been told that salt is a bad thing in food and frequently don’t get enough for their lifestyle.  Much of the science of sodium is based on people who eat highly processed diets which also are very low in potassium. It could actually be the low potassium levels causing the issues that sodium has been blamed for!  What is clear is that both sodium and potassium at the proper levels are essential for high performance (and for life in general!).  That's why we partnered with LMNT to offer a free sample pack of their electrolyte mix. Head to drinklmnt.com/runnersconnect to get yours now. The Sample Pack includes 8 packets of LMNT (2 citrus, 2 raspberry, 2 orange, and 2 raw unflavored).

Running can be intimidating to a lot of people. But jogging? It can open a world of fun fitness to almost everyone. Chris Heuisler of the Knob Creek Jogging Club talks about how a simple word shift transformed the lives of hundreds of bartenders. In this fun and inspiring episode, we explore: Why the word “jogging” made all the difference in getting non-runners to get onboard How runners’ serious attitudes to the sport can actually be limiting How being more inclusive can increase enjoyment and longevity And Chris also gets Coach Claire to open up a little bit about her running story and how she finds joy as a coach. You don’t want to miss this one! CONNECT, COMMENT, & COMMUNITY: Follow RunnersConnect on Instagram Join the Elite Treatment where you get first dibs on everything RTTT each month! Runners Connect Winner's Circle Facebook Community  RunnersConnect Facebook page GET EXPERT COACHING AT RUNNERSCONNECT! This week’s show brought to you by: Magnesium Breakthrough from Bioptimizers.  Supplementing with magnesium before you go to bed has been shown in scientific studies to… Increase in muscle oxygenation during high intensity exercise Reduce inflammation  Significantly improve sleep quality Improve aerobic exercise capacity when training. When you’re looking for a magnesium supplement, make sure you take one that is organic and has all 7 unique forms of magnesium.  My recommendation is Magnesium Breakthrough from Bioptimizers because it’s made with the highest quality, organic magnesium and contains all 7 critical forms. Most other magnesium supplements are synthetic and only contain one or two forms of magnesium, which is simply not enough. For an exclusive offer go to magbreakthrough.com/runtothetop and use code run10 to save 10% when you try Magnesium Breakthrough. Plus, they offer a full refund up to one year after your purchase, no questions asked. MetPro This podcast is brought to you by MetPro, world-renowned concierge nutrition, fitness & lifestyle coaching company.  Using Metabolic Profiling, MetPro team of experts analyzes your metabolism and provides an individualized approach to obtaining your goals.  MetPro analyzes your individual metabolism to get a baseline to see exactly how your body is responding against a very specific set of variables. This means no cookie-cutter diets or formulas. Your MetPro coach then works with you to consistently make adjustments based on your metabolic data as well as how your plan fits your lifestyle. MetPro’s coaches are not only educated experts in their field, but they’re empathetic that people have demanding schedules and often stressful lives. They will work one-on-one with you to identify the best nutrition and fitness strategy that is going to work for your personal goals and lifestyle needs. Run to the Top listeners receive a complimentary Metabolic Profiling assessment and a 30-minute consultation with a MetPro expert. To claim this offer head to metpro.co/rttt

Side stitches affect up to 70% of all runners.  If you’ve ever suffered from a sharp, shooting pain in your side in the middle of your run, you know how awful it is. On today’s Run to the Top Podcast, we go into the science of side stitches. You’ll learn: which runners are most susceptible to them what you can do to prevent them, and how to deal with a side stitch on the run This will be a super helpful episode if you’ve ever suffered from side stitches or if you never want to. And we know that it’s getting hot out there for a lot of you runners in the northern hemisphere. Make  sure that you know exactly how much the heat will affect your runs and how to adjust your paces to make sure you are getting the most out of your workout. Download our FREE temperature calculator that you can use all summer long.   Connect, Comment, Community Follow RunnersConnect on Instagram Join the Elite Treatment where you get first dibs on everything RTTT each month! Runners Connect Winner's Circle Facebook Community  RunnersConnect Facebook page GET EXPERT COACHING AT RUNNERSCONNECT! This week’s show brought to you by: Magnesium Breakthrough from Bioptimizers.  Supplementing with magnesium before you go to bed has been shown in scientific studies to… Increase in muscle oxygenation during high intensity exercise Reduce inflammation  Significantly improve sleep quality Improve aerobic exercise capacity when training. When you’re looking for a magnesium supplement, make sure you take one that is organic and has all 7 unique forms of magnesium.  My recommendation is Magnesium Breakthrough from Bioptimizers because it’s made with the highest quality, organic magnesium and contains all 7 critical forms. Most other magnesium supplements are synthetic and only contain one or two forms of magnesium, which is simply not enough. For an exclusive offer go to magbreakthrough.com/runtothetop and use code run10 to save 10% when you try Magnesium Breakthrough. Plus, they offer a full refund up to one year after your purchase, no questions asked. LMNT When coaching endurance runners of all levels to be their best, I always emphasize the need for proper hydration with the right balance of electrolytes. Most athletes I’ve coached are surprised to learn that their sodium needs are actually much higher than they expected and it’s been hurting their performance.  Part of the reason athletes need much more sodium than they think is not just because they lose electrolytes through their sweat, but also because athletes tend to eat very healthy diets. They’ve been told that salt is a bad thing in food and frequently don’t get enough for their lifestyle.  Much of the science of sodium is based on people who eat highly processed diets which also are very low in potassium. It could actually be the low potassium levels causing the issues that sodium has been blamed for!  What is clear is that both sodium and potassium at the proper levels are essential for high performance (and for life in general!).  That's why we partnered with LMNT to offer a free sample pack of their electrolyte mix. Head to drinklmnt.com/runnersconnect to get yours now. The Sample Pack includes 8 packets of LMNT (2 citrus, 2 raspberry, 2 orange, and 2 raw unflavored).